Let’s talk about what happened last night with Braves pitcher AJ Smith-Shawver because that was awkward. You’re cruising through a ballgame, trying to find some rhythm, and suddenly, you don’t even finish the plate appearance. Two balls into a count against James Wood, and Snit yanks him. Just like that. Not even the courtesy of finishing the matchup. That’s ice cold.
A Mid-PA Hook? That’s Baseball Drama
I know what you’re thinking, “Wait, can they even do that?” Yep, they sure can. And the Braves? They’ve been here before. Flashback to Sean Newcomb — remember that one? Back in the COVID shuffle of 2020, or maybe a year on either side, they gave him the hook mid-PA, too, and boy, the message was clear. “We’re done here.” It’s not just a managerial decision at that point — it’s a statement—and not a subtle one.
Pulling a pitcher mid-plate appearance? Let’s be honest — it comes across as an aggressive move. It’s not common either. It’s not even a baseball routine. It’s a disruption, a pulse check, a middle-of-the-symphony needle scratch. You’re telling the pitcher, the dugout, the fans, and the hitter, “We’re changing course right now.” That’s drama. That’s tension. That’s baseball theatre.
Strategy or Snap Reaction?
Let’s talk theories because everyone has one. Was it punishment? Maybe. Was it a crafty move to sneak Bummer a few more warm-up tosses? Could be. Or — and I say this with love — maybe ol’ Snitker didn’t hustle fast enough out of the dugout to stop the spiral before it hit two balls. That one’s a little less flattering, but hey, we’ve all been a step slow sometimes.
There’s always a method to the madness, right? But when it looks like a panic move on live TV, fans don’t miss a beat. The speculation train leaves the station fast, and by the seventh inning, Twitter’s already decided Snitker was either asleep at the wheel or playing four-dimensional chess. No in-between.
What This Means for Smith-Shawver
The bottom line is it’s not about whether they can do it. It’s about what it says when they do. When you pull a guy mid-PA, it tells the world you’ve lost faith in that moment. And for a young player like Smith-Shawver? That’s a tough pill to swallow. The confidence hit, the body language, the cameras catching that walk back to the dugout — that sticks with a pitcher, and he will remember this throughout his career.
But it may ignite a fire. Baseball has a long memory, but pitchers have longer ones. As for Smith-Shawver’s next outing? Oh, that’s going to be a must-watch TV. You better believe he’s got something to prove now when he steps out onto the mound again.
